NEW DELHI: Cricket superstar Virat Kohli made a much-anticipated return to the Indian national team for the first One-Day International (ODI) against Australia in Perth. This three-match series, which kicked off on Sunday at Optus Stadium, also marked the comeback of fellow Indian stalwart Rohit Sharma, with both players featuring for the first time since India’s victory in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.
Following a rigorous practice session on Saturday, Kohli graciously engaged with fans, signing autographs and posing for photographs with a crowd of enthusiastic supporters. However, during this interaction, a group of Australian spectators reportedly directed taunts and laughter towards him. Without uttering a single word, Kohli responded with a piercing stare that effectively silenced his mockers, a powerful display of the intense focus and presence that has long defined his illustrious career.
His long-time childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, asserted that Kohli has absolutely nothing left to prove in the realm of international cricket. Sharma highlighted the batter’s exceptional records and immense contributions to Indian cricket. “Virat doesn’t have to prove anything; he has achieved everything. The way he has played, the way he has won matches for the country, everyone knows his contribution. He is well prepared, and whenever he is well prepared, the results are always good. I have full faith that he will perform well, as usual,” Sharma stated.
This match represented Kohli’s first appearance in the Indian jersey since March 9, the day India triumphantly lifted the Champions Trophy. Despite earlier expectations of his return to Test cricket for India’s tour of England for the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Kohli chose to retire from the Test format, concluding a remarkable 14-year journey in the longest form of the game.
The cricketing world continues to debate how Kohli will navigate Australia’s notoriously fast-paced pitches and whether this current three-match ODI series will indeed be his final outing Down Under. While he has publicly confirmed his intention to participate in the 2027 World Cup, considerable speculation remains about his immediate future plans in the sport.
Sharma reiterated his high regard for both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, emphasizing that their profound contributions to Indian cricket are already firmly established. “I would like to say that both of them are great players, and they have nothing left to prove because the whole of India knows their contribution to Indian cricket. So, if they have to prove themselves at this stage, it would be a very funny thing,” he added, underlining their enduring legacy.